The Tragic Story Behind The Classic Irish Ballad Spancil Hill from Darren Demers's blog

Introduction:

Many of the greatest songs were born out of personal tragedy. Such is the case with the classic Irish ballad, Spancil Hill. The song was written by Michal Considine, a young man who knew he didn't have long to live, as a memorial to himself and a tribute to the people he loved.

Early Life:

Michal Considine was born around 1850 near Spancil Hill in County Clare, Ireland. Like many others, Considine was forced to leave Ireland due to the potato famine and he eventually settled in Boston in 1870 before moving to California.

Love and Illness:

Considine had a plan to earn enough money to bring his true love, Mary MacNamara, to America. But when he was about 23 years old, he fell ill and realized he had very little time left. He wrote Spancil Hill as a way to express his feelings to those who knew him, especially Mary.

The Song:

In the song, Considine dreams of returning to Spancil Hill, where he sees familiar faces and sights from his youth. All of the people mentioned in the song are real, including Mary MacNamara, whom he refers to as "Mac the ranger's daughter and the pride of Spancil Hill." The song expresses his longing to be reunited with Mary and to relive the joy and happiness of their past together.

The Sad Ending:

Sadly, Considine never got the chance to see Mary again. He died shortly after writing the YourSongsLyrics and Mary remained true to his memory, never marrying.

Conclusion:

Spancil Hill is a song that has touched the hearts of many throughout the years. While many may not know the personal tragedy behind the song, its moving lyrics and beautiful melody continue to make it a beloved classic Irish ballad.